Chapter 41: Turned to a Spectacle
Jethro materialized beside Kekius once again, his gaze immediately dropping to the battleground where Durn now stood alone with his mechbeast. The look of disgrace and frustration on the boy’s face was cathartic, but even better, Jethro’s plans were going smoothly.
So far, he was the one with the highest points for House Faction. At least amongst the first years.
But something felt strange. Around him, it seemed like everyone was especially quiet. When he glanced around, he caught eyes darting away from his, whispering to their friends behind their palms things Jethro couldn’t hear.
It only bothered him for a moment before he decided that it probably had something to do with him winning the match. Though he didn’t expect his victory to be that shocking.
But then his gaze stopped at Kekius beside him, who was staring at him like he no longer recognized him. Like Jethro had ascended to some kind of god.
"Why didn’t you tell me?" Kekius asked, appearing thoughtful.
"Tell you what?" Jethro said with a frown.
"About you and the Conqueror," Kekius whispered. "You’re the one who survived."
A look of realization painted itself over Jethro’s face. His eyes swept the amphitheater and understood now why they were all staring at him and whispering.
Jethro had never thought of it before. He hadn’t actively tried to hide it. He simply wanted to forget about it. Instinctively, he wanted everything about that day to be forgotten. Buried.
Jethro had no idea that no one else knew. He never even bothered to think that they would act differently if they did know. That he would turn to a spectacle.